Luminescence properties of Tb3+ ions in zinc fluorophosphate glasses for green laser applications

Abstract Tb3+-doped zinc fluorophosphate glasses of composition (in mol.%): 44 P2O5 + 17 K2O + 9 Al2O3 + (29 − x) ZnF2 + x Tb4O7, x = 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0, have been prepared by conventional melt quenching technique. The absorption, luminescence and decay curves of these glasses have been studied. The luminescence spectra of Tb3+ ions exhibit its characteristic 5D4 → 7FJ (J = 3, 4, 5 and 6) and 5D3 →7FJ (J = 3, 4 and 5) transitions under 376 nm excitation. The integrated intensities of the 5D4 → 7F5 (green at 546 nm) and 5D3 → 7F4 (blue at 439 nm) transitions and their intensity ratios (IG/IB) have been evaluated as function of Tb3+ ion concentration. Decay curves have been measured for the 5D3 and 5D4 levels of Tb3+ ion in these glasses and lifetime has been determined and discussed with the other Tb3+-reported glasses.